Photos of Arromanches-les-Bains in 2004

Photos of the 60th anniversary of the Normandy landings

Date: Sunday, 6 June 2004 – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Arromanches-les-Bains (Calvados)
Event: International Normandy Landing Ceremony, bringing together heads of state and government from many countries around the world, as well as 142 veterans of 14 different nationalities, on the plateau overlooking the artificial harbor of Arromanches-les-Bains. This ceremony was preceded by a performance featuring military bands and honor guards from around ten countries. To inaugurate the ceremony, the national anthem was played while the French frigate Cassard fired a 21-gun salute. The veterans were welcomed with a parade, immediately followed by active-duty military personnel from various allied countries. French President Jacques Chirac delivered a formal speech and then presented the Legion of Honor to several veterans representing their compatriots. Actors then performed a choreography celebrating peace, designed by Daniel Charpentier. A naval parade (including the participation of the French nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle) and an air parade closed the international ceremony, which took place under a magnificent spring sun.

Photos: Marc Laurenceau